To ask if this would offend you?

[CobaltQueen]

Telling someone they have a strong accent and asking where they are from. Turns out they have always lived in this area and looked really embarrassed when I asked. Was I rude?

That’s happened to me before. Mostly old school Londoners who think I’m an Aussie… I didn’t find it rude at all! Just the influence of many antipodes friends possibly. Plus the Aussie accent supposedly developed from a south east England accents, cos there were loads of convicts sent over there who were Londoners.

No idea if that is true or not, but no. Wasn’t being asked wasn’t offensive. Surprising if anything and something to chat about.

Edited to add, I’m white, if you were asking a person of colour, it could totally be offensive.

I don't think it's rude at all to ask about an accent. Could she have a speech impediment which , surprised at all the replies on the first page. is why she's be offended and you mistook if as an accent?

Honestly it's really not 'rude'. A bit clumsy probably, but not rude.

Maybe she's embarrassed if she went on holiday to Aus and tried to adopt the accent, as I've known people to do! Now that is embarrassing.

This suggests you have a problem with different accents, otherwise why on earth would you think it's negative to have one?

Honestly, the touchiness of so many people astounds me!

Carry on being friendly and interested in others, OP.

Because only British people can be polite? What an odd comment.

I don't think it's rude at all. Maybe she's putting it on which is why she was was embarrassed 😅

If I hear an interesting accent I always ask about it, because I'm interested in linguistics.

Not rude at all just another example of the world going mad!

It's not rude. The intent behind it was genuine curiosity and interest. I don't know how people get through the day being so perpetually offended by every little thing, I'm sure this has gotten worse over the last decade.

Honestly, this would not offend me in the slightest!

😂

When you ask a question because you want to satisfy your curiosity rather than there being any benefit or care towards the person you are asking then don't ask it.

You may well have wondered about her accent and been curious but that is not enough reason to intrude on someone elses privacy.

There are some really odd people on here!
It is not rude to ask about an accent.
Get a grip people, stop the virtue signalling

I get asked where my accent is from as I don’t sound local. Never been offended.

No, it’s not rude. People are oversensitive and looking for reasons to be offended these days.

Not rude at all. Don't worry.

I wouldn't be offended. I had people describe me as "having an accent ", as though they don't have one.

I used to work in a telephone based job and occasionally someone would claim not to understand my accent and ask to speak to someone English.

Don't even waste time thinking about this anymore. You have done nothing wrong.

Christ.

I don't think that it's rude if you ask in a polite manner. I was born and brought up in Wales, but have lived in England for all of my adult life. I actually love it when people recognise the faint remnant of my original Welsh accent.

I'm a northener living down south, I don't mind if people ask where I'm from, I am glad I don't have a southern accent after 20 odd years! Though if they said I have a 'strong accent' I might feel it is slightly insulting.

Oh I love the "I don't have an accent" crowd. My absolute favourite kind of idiot.

I think you'd maybe have had a different response if you'd said something like oh that's a lovely accent you have. Maybe something nice about how well spoken she is.

That is complimentary, it's open so she could have just said thanks or she could have said her mum or dad is from wherever if she'd wanted to. It doesn't say I can tell you're not from round here. (Which shouldn't be seen as a criticism, imo but people can be weird)

Strong accent isn't quite the same and can be interpreted more negatively.

Forgot to answer your actual question!
No it wouldn't offend me.

This was what I thought. Since when is asking someone about their accent classed as rude?
I get asked about mine all the time, I’ve never been offended by it.